Leading Us in Worship Today

Minister of Word and Sacrament Rev. Jaci Smith Patman

Liturgist Usi Mix

Organist/Director of Music Dr. Heather Ankerbrand

Prelude Be Thou My Vision Trad. Irish/Fred Bock/Kevin McChesney

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer & Gathering #829 My Faith Looks Up to Thee, vs. 1

My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray; take all my guilt away; O let me from this day be wholly thine!

Call to Worship

We are the body of Christ, and we depend on God’s grace.

We pray to God in times of distress, knowing that he leads us in times of trouble.

Steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.

We will be glad in the Lord and shout for joy!

Opening Hymn #165 The Glory of These Forty Days

(Please remain standing through the sung response)

Call to Confession

When we stay silent, when we do not acknowledge what we need to change, we waste away. Our guilt turns into shame that eats away at us like a poison. God calls us to repent and be healed; let us turn to God.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful One, we are so easily tempted. We turn away from your word so quickly. We seek anything that claims to save us from discomfort, inconvenience, pain, fear, and emptiness. But these are false idols, dissolving in the wind. You are our true hope and salvation, our hiding place, our guide, our guardian. We confess our transgressions to you: forgive our sins.

Assurance of Forgiveness and Exchange of Peace

Hear and receive the good news: In Jesus Christ, we have been forgiven! Know this and be at peace. Amen.

May the peace of Christ be with you; And also with you.

Please exchange the peace of Christ with your neighbors.

Sung Response #438 Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, vs. 2

Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law's demands. Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone. Thou must save, and thou alone.

Sermon for Faith Builders

Children are invited to go to Children’s Worship with our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Ms. Marisa. They will return during the final hymn.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Call to Offering

Offertory Élégie Léon Boëllmann

Sung Response #612 We Praise You, O God, vs. 3

With voices united our praises we offer and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.

With you, Lord, beside us, your strong arm will guide us.

To you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn #2216 When We Are Called to Sing Your Praise

Scripture Reading Exodus 31:1-11

Anthem #783 When We Are Tested Ruth Duck/Carlton R Young

[All sing vs. 4]

Sermon Jesus Changes Everything: Understanding Our Gifts 1 Cor. 2

Affirmation of Faith - A Declaration of Faith (Ch. One, para. 3 & 4)

Jesus' involvement in the human condition is God's involvement. His compassion for all kinds of people is God's compassion. His demand for justice, truth, and faithfulness is God's demand. His willingness to suffer rejection is God's willingness. Jesus' love for the very people who reject him is God's love.

Jesus Christ stands at the center of the biblical record. The Bible is the account of God's word and action in history, together with his people's response in faith. It tells how the Lord has moved with [Biblical] Israel and the church towards the kingdom of God, his just and loving rule over all. It is the story of the one God, who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That story is still unfolding and in faith we make it our own. It forms our memory and our hope. It tells us who we are and what we are to do. To retell it is to declare what we believe.

Closing Hymn #2105 Jesus, Tempted in the Desert

Benediction

Postlude We Walk by Faith Marty Haugen/Lynn Trapp